Introducing: A GREAT Nephew & A GREAT Aunt-Episode 1

Today I am very excited to introduce a new bi-weekly series on my blog. As you might have guessed from the title, this series will feature a GREAT nephew and a GREAT aunt. I’m the GREAT aunt. And my GREAT nephew, Landon, is . . . you guessed it . . . the GREAT nephew! 🙂

What’s this series all about? And what’s so GREAT about the nephew and the aunt? Well, this series is about illustration! This series is about poetry! And the GREATness? Well, Landon’s mom is my niece so that makes him my GREAT nephew. And since he is a GREAT nephew, that makes me a GREAT aunt! Right? Oh! You had the family tree thing figured out, did you? Well, the other GREAT thing is that we have teamed up to bring readers a-picture-with-a-poem sort of thing. I am going to feature some of my poems that Landon has illustrated. See how GREAT that is??? You know what else? Landon is a fifth grader. Ten years old, mind you. No kidding! And majorly talented! I have a feeling that every time you visit our series and see his illustrations that you’re going to say, “Wow! That’s GREAT!” That’s what I said when Landon said he wanted to do this.

So, without further adieu, here is:

Episode 1-Adventuresome Moose

Art by Landon (Click to Enlarge)

The Poem

The Picture

I hope that you enjoyed Episode 1 and will return every other Friday for future episodes. I would love for you to follow my blog so that you don’t miss anything. You can follow in a reader or by email. Options for following are on the right hand side.

Landon and I both love comments. 🙂 Remember, though, that Landon is a fifth grader and takes his responsibilities as a student very seriously and most likely won’t be able to respond to each comment.

Just so you know, all drawings are Landon’s vision. I only send him the poems and he takes it from there without any guidance from me or his parents 🙂

85 thoughts on “Introducing: A GREAT Nephew & A GREAT Aunt-Episode 1”

Penny, this is the first time that I have visited your blog site and I am delighted that I caught your post on Poetry Friday. I think the idea of family combination writing/illustrating teams is a great one. Multi-generational literacy duos provide high energy and fun. Kudos to you and Landon.

I loved your poem and Landon’s artwork! What a great idea for a blog! He might be illustrating your books if this partnership keeps up. Have you considered having him draw pictures to inspire you on occasion and you writing a poem about his illustration, rather than vice versa? I look forward to your next post!

Yes, Erik. Landon was on your Creative Kids series in March of 2013 with his Buried In a Book poem and illustration. Obviously, he’s still at it! Thank you for joining us as we kick off our new series.

Thank you for coming by, Julie. This all came about because I had been thinking about adding something different to my blog that had to do with poetry, because I love poetry. But words are so fun with an illustrator’s vision. I CAN’T illustrate. Voila! I thought of Landon. Please do stop by for the next episode in 2 weeks!

What a fun start to a fabulous new series! (Love the banner!) I definitely see a book in your future. My 11 year old daughter Miranda is creative in the same way you are, Landon. It’s a wonderful gift and I’m glad you’re teaming up with your Ant… er, Aunt Penny to keep it fresh and fun!

Maybe we will see some of Miranda’s creativity over at your blog, Michelle 🙂 I sure do enjoy your Little Ditty series. I see you have Irene Latham featured. I have that saved in my Inbox because I don’t want to miss it. Her new book sounds amazing! I read some of her poems on Jama Rattigan’s blog and it will be fun to hear more about Dear Wandering Wildebeest on your post. Thanks so much for your kind words and please visit for future episodes.

This is GREAT, Penny, and Landon! I love the details in Landon’s picture – the scarf and the moose’s swirly eyes – they really give us a sense of the setting and the moose’s state of mind. I think you’re going to have so much fun with this. I’ve had my 4th grade son illustrate a few things on my blog, too, and it is a blast to see what he comes up with.

It is going to be fun, Carrie. I love the details, too. The ants in the header are amazing…down to the cups of coffee steaming in the background. The moose’s eyes are perfect, as are his hooves in the air as he imagines his adventure on the snowmobile! All fun. Thanks for visiting.

Loved this, Penny! Can’t wait for the next one! Landon is one talented 5th grader and you, and excellent rhymer! 🙂 This will be a fun short way to break down meter every other week and learn how to master the very challenging task of writing poetry.

He is quite the artist, Mary Lee! I was thrilled when he agreed to illustrate for the new series! And, you know what else? He is a good poet, too! A natural. Pretty gifted all the way around.
Thanks for visiting 🙂

Great project, Penny and Landon. Landon — you are a fabulous illustrator. I especially liked the construction machines that you drew for the series nameplate. Penny, poor moose. Those snowmobiles looked like so much fun, too.

Oh my! I don’t sound very moose-like! The neighbors will probably call animal control if I keep practicing! I’m going to have to leave the bugling to Moose!
Thanks, Julie! It’s GREAT that you like our new series!

Penny and Landon – I love that you’re working together on this!! Penny – your poem is fantastic (with a little fleshing out, you’ve got a picture book here)! I especially love “antlers-over-bum”!! Landon – you are so talented! I can’t believe you’re a 5th grader!!!

Thanks, Lori! I have been so excited about today. I was ecstatic when Landon said he wanted to do this. He brings a story to his illustrations just like picture book illustrators do. What a gift! Thanks for stopping by 🙂

Love, Love, LOVE! My daughter and I did a similar thing for a post last summer and it was so much fun! The only twist was she did the picture first and then I used it as a prompt for my poem. I have – for a long time- been fan of Penny’s poems and I’m already a fan of Landon’s illustrations. This is GREAT idea all around and I look forward to your next poem/picture post!

Thank you, Laura! I had been trying to think of something different for my blog. I love doing Perfect Picture Book Friday but I wanted another regular post. So I thought of bringing Landon in and he agreed! Now I will alternate between PPBF and this series that will connect to Poetry Friday.
I know Landon will have a lot of new fans! He’s super creative!

Thank you Kim! I love his illustrations, too. The series banner is just awesome and a great surprise when I saw it! I had no idea he would have ants building it! So creative. Funny things is…he is extremely allergic to fire ants and so he hates them! Hates ants, period! So I imagine it was kind of fun for him to rain on their parade!!!